understanding computers: today and tomorrow, 13th edition chapter 15: computer security and privacy

Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition

Chapter 15:

Computer Security and Privacy

Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition2

Overview

• This chapter covers:– Hardware loss, hardware damage, and system failure,

and the safeguards that can help reduce the risk of a problem occurring due to these concerns

– Software piracy and digital counterfeiting and steps that are being taken to prevent these computer crimes

– Possible risks for personal privacy violations due to databases, marketing activities, electronic surveillance, and monitoring, and precautions that can be taken to safeguard one’s privacy


Why Be Concerned About Computer Security?

• There are a number of security concerns related to computers that users should be aware of, including:

– Having a computer or other device stolen

– Losing important data

– Losing contact lists

– Buying pirated or counterfeited products


Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure

• Hardware loss: Can occur when a personal computer, USB flash drive, mobile device, or other piece of hardware is stolen, lost, or damaged– Hardware theft: When hardware is stolen from an

individual or an organization• Often stolen from homes, businesses, cars,

airports, hotels, etc.• Often occurs for the value of the hardware, but

increasingly for the information that might be contained on the hardware


Hardware Loss, Damage, and System Failure

• Hardware damage: Can be accidental or intentional• System failure: The complete malfunction of a computer

system– Can be due to a hardware problem, software problem,

or computer virus– Can be due to a natural disaster or planned attack


Protecting Against Hardware Loss, Hardware Damage, and System Failure

• Use door and computer equipment locks– Cable locks– Security slots– Cable anchors– Laptop alarm

software– Lock up USB

flash drives,external harddrives, and other media


• Use encryption to protect data– Increasingly used with

USB flash drives, portable computers, external hard drives, etc.

– Full disk encryption (FDE): Everything on the storage medium is encrypted

– Self-encrypting hard drive: A hard drive using FDE



• Computer tracking software: Used to find a computer or other device after it is lost or stolen– Sends out identifying data via the Internet– Law enforcement can use this data to recover the

device– Stealth tracking software: The sending of data is

transparent to the user– Kill switch: Technology that causes the device to self-

destruct• Other precautions:

– Asset tags, tamper evident labels, etc.



• Additional precautions for mobile users– Most important is to use

common sense



• Proper hardware care– Don’t abuse hardware– Use protective cases– Ruggedized devices

available



– Surge suppressors: Protect hardware from damage due to electrical fluctuations

– Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs): Provide continuous power to a computer system for a period of time after the power goes off



– Also:• Watch dust, moisture,

static, heat, etc.• Avoid head crash• Stop USB devices

before removing• Use screen protectors,

jewel cases, etc.



• Backup and disaster recovery plans: – Both businesses and individuals should use

appropriate backup procedures– Backup media needs to be secured

• Data storage companies store backup media at secure remote locations

• Online backup is another possibility– Continuous data protection (CDP): Enables data

backups to be made on a continual basis– Disaster-recovery plan: Describes the steps a

company will take following the occurrence of a disaster



Quick Quiz

1. Which of the following would not likely be a reason for stealing a notebook computer?

a. For the data contained on the computer

b. To use in a denial of service (DoS) attack

c. For the value of the hardware

2. True or False: It is only important to use a surge suppressor during bad weather, when a lightning strike may occur.

3. A copy of a file that is created in case the original is damaged is called a(n) _____________.

Answers:

1) b; 2) False; 3) backup


Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting

• Software piracy: Unauthorized copying of a computer program– Occurs when:

• Individuals make illegal copies of software to give to friends

• Businesses or individuals install software on more than the number of computers allowed according to the end-user license agreement (EULA)

• Sellers install unlicensed copies on computers sold to consumers

• Large-scale operations in which programs and packaging are illegally duplicated and sold as supposedly legitimate products


Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting

• Digital counterfeiting: The use of computers or other types of digital equipment to make illegal copies documents– Currency, checks,

collectibles and other items

– Often scanned and printed or color-copied


Protection Against Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting

• Software antipiracy tools– Educating businesses and consumers– Registration code or product key – Checking validity of a software installation before

upgrades or other resources related to the program can be used

– Watching online auction sites/lawsuits– Incorporating code into applications to inform the

vendor when pirated copies are being used, or is in violation of the license



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• Digital counterfeiting prevention– New currency designs

• Microprinting, watermarks, security thread, etc.• Special paper is used with U.S. currency

– Identifying technology included in digital imaging hardware

– Digital watermarks: Subtle alteration to a digital item that is not noticeable but that can be retrieved to identify the owner of the item

– Also can use:• RFID tags and other hard-to-reproduce content


Quick Quiz

1. Using a computer to make illegal copies of currency to circulate as real currency is a form of _____________.

a. software piracy

b. computer sabotage

c. digital counterfeiting

2. True or False: Software piracy is rarely performed today.

3. Printed text or an image on a CD case or box that changes its appearance when viewed from different angles to prove the item is authentic is called a(n) _____________.

Answers:

1) c; 2) False; 3) hologram


Why Be Concerned AboutInformation Privacy?

• Privacy: State of being concealed or free from unauthorized intrusion

• Information privacy: Rights of individuals and companies to control how information about them is collected and used

• Computers add additional privacy challenges– Many data breaches recently due to lost or stolen

hardware, carelessness with documents containing sensitive data, etc.

• Businesses need to be concerned with the expense, damage to reputation, and possible lawsuits


Databases, Electronic Profiling, Spam, and Other Marketing Activities

• Marketing database: Collection of data about people, used for marketing purposes– Data obtained through online and offline purchases,

public information, etc.– Used in conjunction with Web activities

• Social activity and searches performed• Government database: Collection of data about people,

collected and maintained by the government– Tax information, Social Security earnings, personal

health records, marriage and divorce information– Some information is confidential, other is public



• Electronic profiling– Using electronic means to collect a variety of in-depth

information about an individual



• Privacy policy: Discloses how information you provide will be used– Included on many Web sites– Dictates how supplied information may be used, but

can be changed and often without notice


Spam and Other Marketing Activities

• Spam: Unsolicited, bulk e-mail sent over the Internet– Often involves health-related products, counterfeit

products, fraudulent business opportunities, pornography, etc.

– Marketing e-mails from companies a person has done business with

– Appearing via instant messaging (spim)– Also delivered via mobile phones, social networking

sites


Spam and Other Marketing Activities

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Protecting the Privacy of Personal Information

• Safeguard your e-mail address– Use a throw-away e-mail

address (an extra e-mail address that you can usefor activities that mightresult in spam)

• Get a second e-mail address from your ISPor from Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, or Gmail

• Can stop using it and get a new one when needed



• Be cautious of revealing personal information– Read a Web site’s privacy policy– Avoid putting too many personal details on your Web

site– Be wary of sites offering prizes in exchange for

personal information– Consider using privacy software, such as anonymous

surfing– Supply only the required information in registration

forms– Delete your browsing history and e-mail settings when

using a public computer



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• Use an e-mail filter to automatically route possible spam into a special folder to deal with later



• Can opt out from marketing activities– Some privacy groups want individuals to have to opt

in to activities instead• Web servers holding sensitive data should be secured

– Only enter personal information on Web sites using secure servers

– Automatic encryption systems for e-mail can help sensitive data from accidentally being revealed



• Properly dispose of hardware and outdated data– Wipe (not just delete) data on

hard drives before disposing of a computer or hard drive

– Storage media containing sensitive data should be shredded

– Businesses should have a media sanitation/data destruction policy


Online Video

“Google Search Privacy: Personalized Search”(click below to start video)

Reminder: The complete set of online videos and video podcasts are available at: www.cengage.com/computerconcepts/np/uc13

Courtesy of Google Inc.


Electronic Surveillance and Monitoring

• Computer monitoring software: Records an individual’s computer usage either by capturing images of the screen, recording the actual keystrokes used, or creating a summary of Web sites visited– Can be used in homes by adults to monitor computer

usage of children or spouse– Can be used in businesses to monitor employee

computer usage– Keystroke-logging programs: Used to capture

keystrokes• Can be used by hacker to capture usernames,

passwords, and other sensitive information entered into a computer via the keyboard


Computer Monitoring Software



• Video surveillance: The use of video cameras to monitor activities of individuals– Used to monitor employees– Used in public locations for crime-prevention

purposes• Stores and other businesses, Public streets• Subways, airports, etc.

– Can be used with face recognition software• Identify terrorists and other known criminals

– Privacy issues also involved with the use of camera phones


Video Surveillance



• Employee monitoring: Observing or recording employees’ actions while they are on the job– Can monitor computer usage,

phone calls, e-mail, etc.– Can monitor physical location

• Video cameras• GPS capabilities built into cars

or mobile phones• Proximity cards

– Can also be used to accessa facility, computer, etc.

– Businesses should notify employees of monitoring



• Presence technology: Enables one computing device to locate and identify the current status of another device on the same network– Instant messaging, mobile phones, etc.– Can be used to locate co-workers

or by customers– May also be used for marketing

activities in the future– Potential privacy violations


Protecting Personal andWorkspace Privacy

• Can use antispyware software to detect and remove some types of illegal computer monitoring and spyware software

• Employers have a responsibility to keep employee and customer information private and secured

• Employees should be familiar with their company’s employee policy and avoid personal activities at work


Quick Quiz

1. A document that discloses how your personal information will be used is called a(n) _____________.

a. privacy policy

b. opt out

c. throw-away e-mail address

2. True or False: The problem of protecting personal privacy and keeping personal information private did not exist before computers and the Internet.

3. The ability of one computing device on a network to identity the status of another device on that network is known as _____________.

Answers:

1) a; 2) False; 3) presence technology


Summary

• Why Be Concerned About Computer Security• Hardware Loss, Hardware Damage, and System Failure• Software Piracy and Digital Counterfeiting• Why Be Concerned About Information Privacy• Databases, Electronic Profiling, Spam, and Other

Marketing Activities• Electronic Surveillance and Monitoring• Computer Security and Privacy Legislation

understanding computers: today and tomorrow, 13th edition chapter 15: computer security and privacy

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